Sunday Service: In-person and Online Sunday at 10:30am
Thanks For Being
Our annual Bread Communion service in which we share from the abundance of our traditions, with gratitude for what we have and knowing that what we pay attention to grows. Rev. Eileen leads this service with Ellie Feddersen as Worship Associate. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin and Ken Smith share their musical gifts.
Today’s offering will be shared with Restore Justice Foundation, which advocates for fairness, humanity, and compassion throughout the Illinois criminal legal system, with a primary focus on those affected by extreme sentences as youth.
Upcoming Services
November 30th – UUPMI – with Rev. Susan
December 7th – Hope in the Darkness – Rev. Eileen
December 14th – Music Sunday – UCE Choir led by Vickie Hellyer
The Alchemy of Gratitude
As we explore nurturing gratitude we consider how to transform gratitude into generosity, the kind that comes from a place of abundance and mutuality rather than scarcity. Rev. Eileen leads this service with Kiley Korey as Worship Associate. Jenn Wisegarver is our Hymn Leader with Gregory Shifrin on piano.
Today’s offering will be shared with Restore Justice Foundation, which advocates for fairness, humanity, and compassion throughout the Illinois criminal legal system, with a primary focus on those affected by extreme sentences as youth.
Upcoming Services
November 23rd – Bread Communion – Rev. Eileen
November 30th – UUPMI – with Rev. Susan
December 7th – Hope in the Darkness – Rev. Eileen
December 14th – Music Sunday – UCE Choir led by Vickie Hellyer
In a world that can feel heavy and unyielding, how do we keep our hearts open? This service explores the practice of gratitude—not as denial of pain, but as an embodied discipline that softens the hard soil in our lives and helps us stay resourced for the journey.
Dr. Emma Farrell leads this service with Janelle Brittain as Worship Associate. Andy Carpenter shares his talents on the tenor saxophone and Gregory Shifrin shares his talents on the piano.
Today’s offering will be shared with Restore Justice Foundation, which advocates for fairness, humanity, and compassion throughout the Illinois criminal legal system, with a primary focus on those affected by extreme sentences as youth.
Upcoming Services
November 16th – The Alchemy of Gratitude – Rev. Eileen
November 23rd – Bread Communion – Rev. Eileen
Honoring our UCE Founders, with thankfulness for those ancestors who planted long ago seeds of possibility so that we may continue to carry on their legacy and be good ancestors for our descendants. Rev. Eileen leads this service with Shirley Adams as Worship Associate. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano bless us with music.
Today’s offering will be shared with Restore Justice Foundation, which advocates for fairness, humanity, and compassion throughout the Illinois criminal legal system, with a primary focus on those affected by extreme sentences as youth.
Upcoming Services
November 9th – Cultivating Gratitude in Hard soil – Dr. Emma Farrell
November 16th – The Alchemy of Gratitude – Rev. Eileen
November 23rd – Bread Communion – Rev. Eileen
Steady, Loving Confrontation
Members of UCE who journeyed the Living Legacy Pilgrimage to Alabama in September reflect on their experience and learning. Rev. Eileen leads the service with contributions from Bex Blackmore, Gretchen Brewster, Dana Deane, Carol Emory, Meredith Haydon, Jeanne Kerl, Cheryl Mounts, Jinny Niemann, and Carla Williams. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer our Music Director and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano provide music.
Today’s offering will be shared with Run On Climate Education Fund, whose mission is to accelerate cutting-edge climate policy at the local level in communities across the country, including right here in Evanston, which is one of Run On Climate’s focal cities for 2025.
Upcoming Services
November 2nd – Honoring Our Founders – Rev. Eileen
November 9th – Cultivating Gratitude in Hard soil – Dr. Emma Farrell
November 16th – The Alchemy of Gratitude – Rev. Eileen
November 23rd – Bread Communion – Rev. Eileen
How might our world change if we treated ourselves with the same compassion we strive to give others? This Sunday we explore the practice of self-compassion – its challenges, its quiet power, and the ways it can open us to deeper connection, healing, and belonging. When we give ourselves compassion, we are opening our hearts in a way that transforms our lives.
Dr. Emma Farrell leads this worship with Barbara Mesle as Worship Associate. Kiley Korey leads us in song, and Gregory Shifrin, offers his musical talents on piano.
Today’s offering will be shared with Run On Climate Education Fund, whose mission is to accelerate cutting-edge climate policy at the local level in communities across the country, including right here in Evanston, which is one of Run On Climate’s focal cities for 2025.
Upcoming Services
October 26th – Steady, Loving Confrontation – Rev. Eileen and the Living Legacy Pilgrimage participants
November 2nd – Honoring Our Founders – Rev. Eileen
November 9th – Cultivating Gratitude in Hard soil – Dr. Emma Farrell
Fierce Compassion
Practicing compassion is a lifelong challenge. It’s harder still while holding righteous anger at the injustices we witness and experience. Exploring the distinction between anger and hate and the root of compassion. Rev. Eileen will preach after
Rev. Susan and the Membership Team invite us to welcome our new members. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer our Music Director, and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano provide music. Mary Dudek is our Worship Associate.
Today’s offering will be shared with Run On Climate Education Fund, whose mission is to accelerate cutting-edge climate policy at the local level in communities across the country, including right here in Evanston, which is one of Run On Climate’s focal cities for 2025.
Upcoming Services
October 19th – Self Compassion – Dr. Emma Farrell
October 26th – Steady, Loving Confrontation – Rev. Eileen and the Living Legacy Pilgrimage participants
November 2nd – Honoring Our Founders – Rev. Eileen
November 9th – Cultivating Gratitude in Hard soil – Dr. Emma Farrell
With gratitude for the lessons we learn from the creatures we share this planet with, and in honor of St. Francis Day, we bless the animals who bless our lives. Rev. Eileen leads this worship with Annette Wallace as Worship Associate. Ally Hunter leads us in song, and Gregory Shifrin, offers his musical talents on piano. You are invited to bring in your well-behaved and leashed pets to be blessed or send a photo to Rev. Eileen for those who don’t worship well with others.
Today’s offering will be shared with Run On Climate Education Fund, whose mission is to accelerate cutting-edge climate policy at the local level in communities across the country, including right here in Evanston, which is one of Run On Climate’s focal cities for 2025.
Upcoming Services
October 19th – Self Compassion – Dr. Emma Farrell
October 26th – Steady, Loving Confrontation – Rev. Eileen and the Living Legacy Pilgrimage participants
November 2nd – Honoring Our Founders – Rev. Eileen
November 9th – Cultivating Gratitude in Hard soil – Dr. Emma Farrell
With gratitude for the lessons we learn from the creatures we share this planet with, and in honor of St. Francis Day, we bless the animals who bless our lives. Bring your well-behaved pet or a photo. Rev. Eileen leads this worship with Annette Wallace as Worship Associate. Ally Hunter leads us in song, and Gregory Shifrin, offers his musical talents on piano.
Today’s offering will be shared with the Run On Climate Education Fund, working to build the climate movement by empowering those devoted to climate justice with the skills they need to move their community off of fossil fuels as quickly as possible.
10/12/2025 Fierce Compassion – Rev. Eileen Wiviott
10/19/2025 – Self-Compassion – Dr. Emma Farrell
What if belonging isn’t something we have to earn or build, but something written into our very atoms — something inherent to our existence? We don’t just live beside one another; in a very real sense, we are one another. Join us this Sunday as we explore how science and spirit remind us that we already belong, and how that truth can inspire us to live with greater care for one another. Dr. Emma Farrell leads this service with Sally Parsons as Worship Associate. Gregory Shifrin shares his talents on piano.
Today’s offering will be shared with Building Peaceful Bridges, whose mission is to foster multicultural relationships by assisting in the integration of newcomers into American society and educating communities on the challenges facing newcomer populations through their stories.
10/5/2025 Pet Blessing – Rev. Eileen Wiviott
10/12/2025 Fierce Compassion – Rev. Eileen Wiviott
10/19/2025 – Self-Compassion – Dr. Emma Farrell
1330 Ridge Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
Directions
(847) 864-1330
uce@ucevanston.org
UCE’s office hours:
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday – Thursday: 10 AM – 4 PM
Friday: 10 AM – 1 PM
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: 10 AM – 2 PM
In-person and Virtual Sunday Service is held at 10:30 am.
Member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association covenant to affirm and promote the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism.
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Evanston is recognized by the Unitarian Universalist Association as a Welcoming Congregation, a Peace Advocate Congregation, and a Green Sanctuary.
